Fire destroys Joplin business building

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- A fire has been reported at a Joplin business where some tornado victims had stored belongings.

The fire, which was reported early Tuesday, destroyed the industrial building where about a dozen businesses were located. No injuries were reported.

The Joplin Globe reported that several tornado victims had been renting space in the metal warehouse at the Lesley Business Centers to store belongings they salvaged from the May 22 tornado.

Keith Stammer, spokesman for the Joplin Fire Department, said when firefighters arrived at the site the building was fully engulfed and the fire was threatening to spread to other structures. The fire was brought under control less than two hours later.

Firefighters continued to pump water into the structure several hours later.